Germany's hockey team takes the gold medal

As in 2008, in Beijing, it is also in London: Gold medal for the German hockey team. The team of head coach Markus Weise increases from game to game against the Netherlands and is only beginning to larger problems. Jan Philipp Rabente the match-winner with two goals.

In the end, they counted down the seconds. And as the final whistle sounded, the German men's hockey summarized repeatedly in the head. They could not believe so real. But the result did not allow any doubt: Germany wins Olympic gold for the second year in a row, the fourth time overall.

In the final game of London won the team of head coach Markus Wiese 2-1 against the Netherlands . Thanks to a disciplined defensive performance is set by the Germans triumphed, and after 1972, 1992 and 2008 for the fourth time

"The feeling is indescribable. You can not believe it," said double-scorer Rabente. "Two goals I'm not in my wildest dreams have imagined."

In front of 16,000 spectators in the packed arena occupied Riverbank posted Jan Philipp Rabente (33./66. minute) both goals for the European champions, who also returned the favor for the preliminary round defeat of 1:3 at the Orange team. Bronze in the world champions Australia by 3-1 in the small final against hosts Great Britain.

In the first Olympic final duel of the two rivals had respect for each other should be noted, however, it was still neat to the same thing. Cheered on by many Orange fans took over the Dutch, two days after the 9-2 thrashing of Great Britain in command. The Germans wanted to be not such a roll over and sat on the counter.

In the 21 Goalkeeper Max Weinhold had minutes to save Billy Bakker for the first time, scored just two minutes later on the opposite side of Florian Fuchs over. The best opportunity came up to that bullet once again the Orange team. Bakker was released to the shot, but Weinhold was a sensational reflex on the spot and parried.

As good as the Germans were working defensive forward at this stage was not much. All the more surprising then fell as the remarkable leadership: Rabente danced three Dutchmen and shot an unsustainably. Just before the break, but then luck when a ball from the loss of Tobias Hauke ​​attentive rearguard was still made up (35).

After the change had successively Christoper Wesley after a defensive error and Christopher Zeller hit the post with a pitch (46th) and only narrowly missed the preliminary decision possible. It retaliated, as Mink van der Weerden (54th), the third penalty corner used to compensate. Martin Häner ((56) met at the first German corner is not. But four minutes from time scored Rabente standing at the near post by the Tap-acclaimed winner.

USA vs. Spain London 2012 Olympics men's basketball for gold is rematch of 2008 Beijing classic

LONDON — The Americans left as champions four years ago and returned thinking they were even better.

This U.S. men's Olympic basketball team was an improved model over the 2008 version, players insisted, so versatile, so athletic that not only would they beat those gold medalists, but they could even take a game from the Dream Team.

The stats back them up, and a place in history is awaiting this group of Americans — on one condition.

"I thought we had the potential to be really good, better than the '08 team, but the '08 team brought home gold, so we've got some unfinished business still left," LeBron James said Saturday.

And it comes Sunday against Spain, the team the Americans beat in an Olympic classic at the 2008 Beijing Games.

The U.S. completed its climb back to the top of international basketball with a 118-107 victory, pulling away after Spain was within four points in the final 2½ minutes. The game was 40 end-to-end minutes of all offense, all the time, and the Americans have the ability to be even more potent now.

They are averaging 116.7 points — just slightly off the Dream Team's record of 117.3 per game — and set the Olympic record with 156 in an 83-point victory over Nigeria. They are averaging 10 points more than the '08 squad and winning by eight more points per game, and with James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony, the U.S. has enough hot hands to fill an octopus.

"We obviously have a lot of talent. Our team here is pretty ridiculous," Bryant said.

The rematch between the world's No. 1 and No. 2 teams was widely expected coming into the games, but Spain hasn't always looked up to the challenge in London.

The Spaniards lost twice in the preliminary round, then fell into an 11-point halftime deficit against Russia in the semifinals after managing just 20 points — which is about seven minutes worth of work for the Americans.

Spain rallied for a 67-59 victory, saying afterward how rewarding it was just to get the gold-medal game while facing a number of injuries. And as they hugged members of the Spanish royal family, then talked about the difficult circumstances they've overcome, they had the appearance of a team whose work was done, more ready for a vacation than another game within 48 hours.